PUERTO GALERA, Philippines (25 Feb 2006) -- If you haven't been hit hard by this concoction of local rum, grenadine, pineapple juice, soda and chunks of apples, known as the Mindoro Sling, chances are you haven't been to Puerto Galera. Puerto Galera is on the northern part of the island of Mindoro in the province of Oriental Mindoro. It is 130 km south of Manila, 14 nautical miles from Batangas City. Travel from Manila to Batangas by land is about two hours. Another hour and a half by boat from the port of Batangas gets you to Puerto Galera. In the summer, Puerto Galera is packed with Manileņos, as though the malls in Makati have relocated to the island. Some times you wonder how to find space for your mat on the beach to catch a share of the sun. At night, speakers from the bars fronting the ocean compete for attention, and the bikini-clad crowd comes alive. Puerto Galera does not promise a quiet getaway. The island hauls in vacationers by the hundreds but there is only one way to enjoy Puerto Galera: arm yourself with an insatiable thirst for adventure even before you hit the road. There's a chance, though, that you might not want to leave. Puerto Galera is budget-friendly. Cottage rates can go as low as $15 for a group of four people on weekdays. The island offers limitless dining options. A good variety of cuisine is available at prices almost similar to those in Manila. With a budget from $20 up, the activities are endless. The warm white sand is, of course alluring. The clear water, with its angel-white waves, is perfect for skim boarding, jet skiing and parasailing. A 20-minute boat ride will take you to a beguiling coral haven where snorkeling and scuba diving simply become irresistible. Medio and Paiquian islands, at the north and northwest, shelter Puerto Galera's Muelle Bay from the open sea, making it one of the world's safest natural harbors. | | Looking for Lahaina, Key West, Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel, Cancun before mass tourism took over? Dive in to Puerto Galera! To the left of White Beach is a cave of about eight meters. Crawling into this tunnel leads you to the island's version of Blue Lagoon. Since Puerto Galera's terrain is generally mountainous, adventure seekers have the option of hiking and exploring the lush greenery for a quieter escapade. After all the activities, it would be hard to resist the never-ending offers of "Ma'am, pa-massage na kayo?" As the sun sets, time just seems to stop for tourists and locals alike, as the blue sky surrenders to and is soon overpowered by the bright salmon glow. Puerto Galera is rightly proud of its awe-inspiring sunset that seems to be over so soon. Then the bars set up lamp-lit tables, and it's time for your dose of Mindoro Sling! SOURCE - INQ7, CDNN Newswire |
